Photo: BSLRed, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Poplar Grove is America's oldest peanut plantation, open to the public for tours and live demonstrations. On the National Register of Historic Places, the 16 acre site features an 1850 manor house, a tenant house, blacksmith shop, weaving studio, basket studio, agricultural exhibits, farm animals, gift shop, picnic and playground area.
Poplar Grove Plantation is a peanut plantation by the Topsail sound in Scotts Hill near Wilmington in Pender County, North Carolina. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in North Carolina on July 16, 1979.
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Airlie Gardens encompasses 67 acres of quintessential Southern gardens with 10 acres of freshwater lakes. Features include azaleas, camellias, statuary and the Historic Airlie Oak. This once privately owned garden was purchased for the public by New Hanover County in January, 1999.
Kayaking tours and lessons.
Water park closed during off season but dry park open all year round. Hours vary and park may close due to inclement weather, so call ahead. Its main feature is the water park, but it includes an arcade, mini golf and go karts. Prices vary for admittance to the waterpark, but the best price is the 4PM-7PM $14.95 for all ages special.
Tours are offered at noon on Saturdays from September to May and Saturdays and Sundays noon and 2PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tour of EUE Screen Gems Studios North Carolina takes visitors through North Carolina's film history. This one-hour walking tour includes visits to the sets of Dawson’s Creek, Iron Man 3 and One Tree Hill.
Piney Ridge Nature Preserve
See carnivorous plants including Venus flytraps.
Smithsonian Affiliate
The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science collects, preserves, and interprets objects relating to the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear.